Thanks to Jim Randolph, “Teacher Ninja” and SLM candidate at UGA, I am using Google Moderator for this presentation. Last week, Dr. Tripp emailed the link to my Google Moderator series I set up for this upcoming talk; we also Tweeted it using the course hashtag #lis5313. Last night, I took about an hour to answer the questions that had come in, and I think it will help facilitate the conversations we will have in the Elluminate classroom Monday night. You can see my Google Moderator series here:

I would like to alert you to an upcoming web event this week from “The Future of Education” series hosted by the wonderful Steve Hargadon. This “webinar” is free and open to anyone; if you miss the live show, it will be recorded for viewing at a time that works for you. The web event will be held via Elluminate, which you can install/download for free; I suggest logging in about 20-30 minutes ahead of time if you have not used Elluminate so that you can configure you audio settings before the web event begins.

There are dramatic changes taking place that seem likely to change our experiences with books and reading. They include: pre-publication “wikified” collaboration, electronic delivery, open licensing, increased author-reader and reader-reader conversation, shared annotations, and more. Join this amazing panel as we peer into the near and long-term future of the reading experience.

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Last night I was thrilled to have the opportunity to listen to an interview with Dr. Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University, through Elluminate thanks to the wonderful Steve Hargadon and The Future of Education network. As many of you know, the work of Dr. Wesch and Wendy Drexler has inspired the design of my Media 21 Capstone project I am piloting this fall with English teacher Susan Lester here at Creekview High School.

In last night’s interview that lasted slightly over an hour, Dr. Wesch provided an overview of the framework and thought process behind his teaching methods and way of framing learning. In addition, Dr. Wesch provided a brief but fascinating overview of his work as an anthropologist and his interest in digital ethnography. To me, his teaching methods are truly grounded in the theory of connectivism and represent a 21st century model of learning in which students collaborate, construct knowledge through social interaction, and are immersed in multiple literacies, not just traditional forms of literacy.

While I am still processing last night’s conversation and plan to listen to it again in the next week or so, these thoughts stand out to me; these are idea I will be trying to unpack during the summer.

Advice for those starting with the Wesch model: “Why am I doing this?” and “Why is this important”–always be able to answer these questions effectively. (echoes of Dr. Bob Fecho, University of Georgia)

A discussion about the difference between assessment and evaluation, one in which I’m still mucking about.

Learning by doing is very important in this kind of learning environment.

“Focus on creating a strong relationship w/ students so they are willing to go with you” (in response to my question, “What advice would you have for those just starting out with this model of teaching and learning?”)

“Must have purpose and a connection for great learning environment”

Dr. Wesch also recommended these two books to help frame this paradigm:

Although I use social media on a daily basis, I have to confess to still being a bit awe-struck at having the opportunity to actually connect in real time with someone who has influenced my thinking so deeply the last six months. Last night was truly a rich opportunity to enhance my existing understandings that underpin my Media 21 project. I want to thank Steve Hargadon for hosting last night’s show and Dr. Wesch for graciously sharing his time with over 200 participants who sat in on the live broadcast.

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About Me

I am a writing and Language Arts teacher who loves learning, literacy, stories, learning, dogs, poetry, fabulous shoes, and good lip gloss. I began my career as a high school English teacher in 1992 and then became a high school librarian and 2011 Library Journal Mover and Shaker before returning to the classroom in August 2016.